Roads Reopen and Evacuations Ceased in a Small Colorado Town Following Severe Flooding
After experiencing severe flooding, a small town in southern Colorado has finally seen some relief. The order for mandatory evacuations has been lifted and the main highway has reopened, bringing some normalcy back to the town.
Extreme Rise in River Levels
The local river experienced a significant increase in flow, more than double its average, which led to the extreme flooding conditions. The situation was so dire that late on Saturday night, the town officials felt compelled to order mandatory evacuations.
Following thorough inspection, the bridge on the main highway was deemed safe and reopened to regular traffic. However, the town cautioned that standing water and debris still posed safety risks in various areas. As a safety measure, all public parks and downtown areas along the river will remain temporarily closed. The town's residents and visitors are urged to steer clear of these areas until further notice.
Emergency Shelter and Local Emergency Declaration
In the meantime, the community center located on Hot Springs Boulevard was used as an emergency shelter for those who were displaced due to the floods. The severity of the situation led the mayor and town council to declare a local state of emergency, which was set to last for a week or until further notice. However, it was unclear whether this declaration had been lifted since the evacuation orders were cancelled.
In their declaration, the town officials stated, "The magnitude of this event has exceeded the town's ability to respond with our current resources. Immediate action is necessary to protect lives and property, as well as to maintain critical infrastructure and public safety."
Everyone living on Hermosa Street and San Juan Street east of Hot Springs Boulevard was affected by the evacuation order.
Social Media Buzz and Resident Experience
Images and videos shared on social media platforms painted a vivid picture of the situation. Videos showed the river overflowing due to the high water levels, while residents scrambled to protect their homes with sandbags to prevent the floodwaters from seeping in.
One resident shared contrasting photos taken on Saturday morning and evening, demonstrating the severity of the flooding. The 'after' photo revealed fields of grass entirely submerged. She reported seeing large trees being swept away by the river from her home located near the main highway, just half a mile north of the town.
The river's flow was recorded at about 7,200 cubic feet per second at the time of the evacuation, a stark contrast to its average flow of 2,900 cubic feet per second.
Flood Warning and Watch
A flood warning remained in effect until Sunday morning in the county, with a flood watch set to last through Tuesday morning. About 30 miles north, a flash flood risk also led to the closure of a pass near South Fork Rio Grande.